Vacuum operated device



Nov. 20, 1934. J. S-IMMERMANN 1381,08!)

VACUUM OPERATED DEVI CE Filed Aug. 3. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 -//Y VE/V 70E J5 J/MMEe MAN/Y A rme/vir Nov. 20, 1934.

J. E. SIMMERMANN 1,981,080

VACUUM OPERATED DEVICE Filed Aug. 3, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7/////////Al //////17/ Z /V Patented Nov. 20, 1934 VACUUM OPERATED DEVICE Joseph E. Simmermann, St. Louis, Mo.

Application August 3, 1931, Serial No. 554,659

15 Claims.

This invention relates generally to vacuum. operated devices for internal combustion engines, and more specifically to a device of this type which among its various uses may be employed as an oiler to introduce lubricating fluid into the cylinders of an internal combustion engine above the pistons therein, an object of the invention being to provide an oiler of this type which is of such improved construction and arrangement that a portion of the vacuum which originates within the intake manifold of a combustion engine with which the oiler is associated is controlled by a vacuum-controlling valve forming a part of the oiler, so as to cause said controlled vacuum to regulate the flow of lubricating fluid from the oiler to the cylinders of the engine.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved oiler showing same in association with a fragment of an internal combustion engine.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal section on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 1s a vertical section similar to Fig. 2 but taken on a line extended through the vacuum controlling valve of the oiler.

In the drawings, wherein is shown for the purpose of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, and referring particularly for the moment to Fig. 1, A designates the improved oiler generally and B designates an internal combustion engine with which the oiler is associated. The oiler A includes a receptacle B for lubricating fluid which comprises a head 1 which receives a body portion 2 preferably formed of glass or other suitable transparent material, said head being hollow and having screw-threads 3 formed therein which receive similar screw-threads 4 formed on the body portion 2 at the top thereof, whereby said body portion is attached to said head. The body portion 2 is open at the top and the head 1 is closed at its upper portion by a wall 5, which is provided with an inlet opening 6 to permit introduction of lubricating fluid into the interior of the body portion 2, and said inlet opening is closed by a suitable closure element '7 which is provided with a vent 8. My improved oiler by preference is located beneath the hood of a motor vehicle with which it is associated, and preferably the receptacle R is secured to the dash board of said motor vehicle at the forward face thereof by suitable fastening devices which pass through said dash board and through lugs 9 formed on the head 1.

Formed integral with the head 1 is an upwardly and forwardly extended portion 10 (Fig. 3) through which an arcuate opening 11 is arranged. The portion 10 is provided with a vertical forward face 10 to which a sight feed 12 is secured. The sight feed 12 comprises a body portion 13 having a cavity 14 formed therein in which a cylinder 15 formed of transparent material is arranged. The wall of the body portion is provided with sight openings 16 through which the interior of the cylinder 15 may be viewed, and gaskets 17'18 are located at the upper and lower edges of the cylinder 15 to provide fluid-tight joints at these points. The body portion 13 of the sight feed is provided with a tubular extension 19 which is extended downwardly into the cylinder 15, as shown clearly in Fig. 3, said tubular extension being of such length that the lower end thereof is preferably located at a point substantially midway between the top and bottom edges of said cylinder.

The passageway 19 through the tubular extension 19 communicates with a cavity 20 formed within the upper portion of the body portion 13 of the sight feed, which is provided at its lower portion with a valve seat 20, and located above the cavity 20 is a screw-threaded opening 21 in which a vertically disposed screw-threaded valve element 22 is arranged. The valve element 22 is provided with a lower portion 22' which is shaped and arranged to contact with the valve seat 20, said valve element having a head portion 23 adapted to facilitate manipulation thereof and having associated therewith a lock nut "24 to prevent accidental movement of the valve element. The body portion of the sight feed is provided with a transverse passageway 25, which communicates with the cavity 20, and arranged in communication with said passageway is a lubricant discharge conductor 26, which is associated with the body portion of the sight feed. The lubricant discharge conductor 26 passes through the arcuate opening formed in the extension 10 and extends downwardly into the body portion 2 of the receptacle R, the lower end of said conductor being located just above the bottom of said body portion 2. Leading from the lower end of the sight feed 12 is a tube 27, which serves a purpose to be hereinafter set forth, said tube being attached to the body portion of the sight feed by suitable coupling elements 28 and 28.

Secured by preference to a portion of the head 1 of the receptacle R is a vacuum-controlling valve V, which comprises a valve body portion 29 provided in its upper portion with a vertically disposed plunger opening 30. In the lower portion of the valve body portion and beneath the plunger. opening a passageway 31 is arranged, and at the point where the passageway 31 and the plunger opening 3d meet a valve seat 32 is located. At a point immediately above the valve seat 32 the valve body portion 29 is provided with passageway 33, which is arranged at a substantial right angle with respect to the plunger opening 30, and the tube 27, which leads from the lower end of the sight feed, is arranged in communication with said passageway 33, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.-

Also, an extension 29' of the body portion of the vacuum-controlling valve V is provided with a screw-threaded opening 34 which is alined longitudinally with the passageway 33, and arranged in this screw-threaded opening is a screw-threaded valve element 35. The screw-threaded opening 34 is of greater diameter than the passageway 33, whereby a shoulder 36 is present at the point where the screw-threaded opening and the passageway meet, and the valve element 35 is provided with an end portion 35 of reduced diameter which is adapted to be moved with relation to the shoulder 36 when the valve element is rotated. The wall of the extension 35 ofthe body portion of the valve V is provided with air inlet openings 3'7, which are located adjacent to the shoulder 36. Also, the valve element 35 is provided with a head portion 38 which facilitates the manipulation of said valve element, and a lock nut 39 which prevents accidental movement thereof.

The valve body portion of the vacuum-controlling valve V is provided with a reduced upper portion 40 to which a member 41 is clamped. The member 41 includes a substantially horizontal arm 41' from which an extension 42 projects upwardly. Also, the member .41 includes a split clamping portion 43 which embraces the reduced upper portion 40 of the valve body portion and is drawn together by a suitable fastening device 44. Arranged within the plungeropening 30 of the valve body portion 29 is a plunger 45, which is pivotally connected at its upper end to an arm 46. The arm 46 in turn is pivotally connected to the extension 42 of the member 41,,and said arm is provided with a suitable spring 47 which tends to maintain the end portion of the arm at which the plunger is attached thereto in a depressed position. The plunger is provided with a tapered lower end 45*, as shown clearly in Fig. 4, and this tapered end is provided at its lower end with a portion 45 shaped so as to cooperate with the valve seat 32.

The outer end of the horizontal arm 41 of the member 41 is provided with a split clamping portion 48 which engages an end of a flexible tube 49, andextended through said flexible tube is a valve-operating element 50. The valve-operating element 50 is extended through an opening formed through the outer end portion of the arm '46, and fixed to said valve-operating element immediately above said outer end portion of said arm is a collar 51. The collar 51 is fixed to the valve-operating element by means of a set screw v52 or other suitable means, whereby said collar the carburetor 55 to the intake manifold 56 of the internal combustion engine B with which the oiler is associated. The throttle valve-operating arm 53 has connected to it also an operating element 57, which is connected to a manually operable element, such as the foot accelerator of a motor vehicle, which is located adjacent to the position of the operator of the vehicle. With respect to the intake manifold of the engine B, it will be noted that a tube 58, which is connected to the valve body portion of the vacuum-controlling valve V by a suitable coupling element 59, leads to said intake manifold. The tube 58 places the passageway 31 at the lower portion of the valve body portion 29 in direct communication with the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine.

In the operation of an internal combustion engine, vacuum is produced in the intake manifold of said engine by the reciprocating pistons within the cylinders of the engine, and in the use of my improved oiler this vacuum is felt in the tube 58, due to the fact that saidtube is in direct com" munication with said intake manifold. In the absence of the vacuum-controlling valve V of my improved device, the vacuum referred to would be felt throughout the oiling device, and lubricating fluid would be drawn from the reservoir of a volume in direct proportion to the extent of the vacuum within the intake manifold of the engine. However, the vacuum within the intake manifold of an. internal combustion engine is greater when the engine is operating at low throttle speeds, and at such times less lubricating fluid is needed to properly lubricate the upper portions of the cylinders of the engine, and said vacuum is of less extent when the engine is operating at higher throttle speeds when more lubricating fluid is required. I therefore provide my improved oiler with the vacuum-controlling valve V which serves to control the vacuum within the tube 27 in a manner to cause less lubricating fluid to be drawn into the cylinders when the engine is operating at low throttle speed and more lubricating fluid to be drawn into said cylinder when said engine is operating at higher throttle speeds.

The operation of my improved oiler-as just described results from the fact that the plunger 45, which is the controlling element of the vacuumcontrolling valve V, is so associated with. the throttle valve of the carburetor of the engine with which the oiler is associated that said throttle valve and said plunger operate in consonance with each other. In other words, when the operator of the motor vehicle depresses the accelerator which controls the flow of fuel to the internal combustion engine, the throttle valve associated with the carburetor will be adjusted to permit a predetermined amount of fuel to pass from the carburetor tov the intake manifold of the engine, and simultaneously with such adjustment of the throttle valve the plunger of the vacuum-controlling valve V will be adjusted vertically with respect to the valve seat 32. It is obvious that when the throttle valve of the carburetor is opened only slightly the engine will be operated at low speed and the vacuum within the intake manifold and tube 58 will be high. However, at such time the plunger 45 of the vacuum-controlling valve V will be only slightly elevated above the valve seat 32 so that the vacuum within the tube 27 will be less than the vacuum within the tube 58, hence the reduced vacuum within said tube 27 will draw less lubrieating fluid from the receptacle R than would be were present in the tube 27;; Also, as the speed of operation of the engine is increased by moving the throttle valve of the carburetor to a more'open position, the extent of the opening between the plunger 45 and the valve seat 32 of the vacuumcontrolling valve V'will be correspondingly increased, so as to increase the vacuum within the tube 27 and cause more lubricating fluid to pass to the more rapidly operating parts of the engine. Finally, when the throttle valve of the carburetor is opened to its maximum position, the plunger of the vacuum-controlling valve will also be its maximum position so as to obtain the maximum vacuum within the tube 27.

Thus it is apparent that the plunger of the vacuum-controlling valve operates in absolute consonance with the throttle valve of the carburetor, so as to cause higher vacuum to be present within the tube 27 when the engine is operating at open throttle speeds and lower vacuum within said tube 27 when the engine is operating at low throttle speeds, whereby an amount of lubricating fluid will be delivered at all times to the cylinders of the engine which will be in proper proportion to the speeds and loads of operation of moving parts of the engine to be lubricated.

The flow of lubricating fluid from the receptacle B may be primarily regulated by the valve element 22 associated with the sight feed 12, as shown in Fig. 3. Also, if and when desired, the valve element 35 may be adjusted to permit regulated amounts of air to pass through the air inlet openings 37 to mix with the lubricating fluid passing to the cylinders of the engine. The arrangement of clampingthe member 41 to the upper portion of the valve body portion of the vacuum-controlling valve V permits said member to be adjusted so that the oiler may be used with motor vehicles of different constructions.

While I have described the invention as relating particularly to oilers for internal combustion engines, I wish it to be understood that my improved vacuum controlling valve V, which is the predominant feature of the invention, may be Y employed in connection with the operation of devices other than oilers. For instance, the improved vacuum controlling valve disclosecl herein may be employed in the operation of vacuum windshield wipers, vacuum clutch pullers, and various other devices operated by vacuum, which are associated with motor vehicles. This application is a continuation in part of an application filed by me on September 4, 1928, and bearing Serial No. 303,747.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a reservoir for lubricating fluid, means for conducting lubricating fluid from said reservoir to the upper portions of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, said reservoir being distinct from the crank case of the internal combustion engine, a valve for regulating the quantitative flow of lubricating fluid from said reservoir to said internal combustion engine, a second valve for controlling the flow of lubricating fluid to the internal combustion engine, the last-mentioned valve being provided with an air passageway leading into the interior thereof through which air may pass for passage to the internal combustion engine, and means connecting the controlling mechanism of the last-mentioned valve to the throttle valve of a carburetor associated with said internal combustion engine so that the controlling mechanism of said last-mentioned valve and said throttle "valve may" function in consonance with eaohother. 2. A device of the class described, comprisin areservoir for lubricating fluid, means for conducting lubricating fluid from said'reservoir to the upper portions ofthe cylinders of an internal combustion engine, said reservoir being distinct from the crank case of the internal combustion engine, a valve for regulating the quantitative flow of'lubricating fluid from said reservoir to said internal combustion engine, a second valve for controlling the flow of lubricating fluid to the internal combustion engine, thelast-mentioned valve being provided with an air passageway leading into the interior thereof'through which air may pass for passage to the internal combustion engine,-means for regulating the passage of airthrough said air passageway, and means connecting the controlling mechanism of the last-mentioned valve to the throttle valve of a carburetor associated with said internal combustion engine so that the controlling mechanism of said last-mentioned valve and said throttle valve will function in consonance with each other.

3. A device of the class described comprising a reservoir for lubricating fluid, conduit means through which lubricating fluid passes from said reservoir to the upper portions of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, said reservoir being distinct from the crank-case of the internal combustion engine, said conduit means being in communication with the upper portions of said cylinders whereby vacuum produced by operation of the pistons within the cylinders isfelt within said conduit means in a manner to induce the flow of lubricating fluid therethrough to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine, means for regulating the flow of lubricating fluid from said reservoir, and valve means for regulating the vacuum in a portion of said conduit means whereby the flow of lubricating fluid to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine is likewise regulated,'said valve means being interposed between said flow-regulating means and the internal combustion engine.

4. A device of the class described comprising a reservoir for lubricating fluid, conduit means through which lubricating fluid passes from said reservoir to theupper portions of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, said reservoir being distinct from the crank case of the internal combustion engine, said conduit means being in communication with the upper portions of said cylinders whereby vacuum produced by operation of the pistons within the cylinders is felt Within said conduit means in a manner to induce the flow of lubricatingfluid therethrough to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine, means for regulating the flow of lubricating fluid from said reservoir, valve means for regulating the vacuum in a portion of said conduit means whereby the flow of lubricating fluid to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine is likewise regulated, and means for co-operatively connecting said valve means with the throttle valve of a carburetor associated with said internal combustion engine so that said valve means and said throttle valve will function in consonance with each other, said valve means being interposed between said flow-regulating means and the internal combustion engine.

5. A device of the class described comprising a reservoir for lubricating fluid, conduit means through which lubricating fluid passes from said reservoir to the upper portions of the cylinders its its

combustion, engine, said conduit means being in communication with the upper portions of said cylinders whereby vacuum produced by operation ofthepistons within thecylinders is felt within said conduit means in a manner to induce the flow of lubricating fluid therethrough to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine,

means for regulating the flow of lubricating fluid from said reservoir, valve means including a movable plunger for regulating the vacuum in a portion'of said conduit means whereby the flow of lubricating fluid to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine is likewise regulated, and means for co-operatively connecting said valve means with the throttle valve of a carburetor associated with said internal combustion engine so that said valve means and said throttle valve will function in consonance with each other, said valve means being interposed between said flowregulating -means and the internal combustion engine. e

6. A device of the class described comprising a reservoir for lubricating fluid, conduit means through which lubricating fluid passes from said reservoir to the upperportions of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, said reservoir being distinct from the crank case of the internal combustion engine, said conduit means being in communication with the upper portions of said cylinderswhereby vacuum produced by operation of the pistons within the cylinders is felt within said conduit means in a manner to induce the flow of lubricating fluid therethrough to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine, means of said conduit means whereby the flow of lubrieating fluid tothe cylinders of the internal combustion engine is likewise regulated, a valve seat with which said plunger may contact so as to completely interrupt passage of lubricating fluid through said valve means, and means for cooperatively connecting said valve means with the throttle valve of a carburetor associated with said internal combustion engine so that said valve meansand saidthrottle valve will function in consonance with each other, said valve means being interposed between said flow-regulating means and the internal combustion engine.

7. A device of the class described comprising a reservoir for lubricating fluid, conduit means through which lubricating fluid passes from said reservoir to the upper portions of the cylinders of an internalcombustion engine, said reservoir being distinct from the crank case of the internal combustion engine, said conduit means being in communication with the upper portions of said cylinders whereby vacuum produced by, operation of the pistons within the cylinders is felt within said conduit means in a manner. to inducethe flow of lubricating fluid therethrough to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine, means for regulating the flow of lubricating fluid from said reservoir, valve means for regulating vacuum in aportion of said conduit means whereby the flow of lubricating fluid to'the cylinders of the internal combustion engine is likewise regulated, and means for cooperatively connecting said valve means with the throttle valve of a carburetor'associated with said internal combustion engine so that said valve means and said throttle valve will function in consonance with each other, said connecting means including an adjustable collar adapted to control the actuation of said valve means, said valve means being interposed between said flow-regulating means and the internal combustion engine.

8. A device of the class described comprising a reservoir for lubricating fluid, conduit means through which lubricating fluid passes from said reservoir to the upper portions of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, said reservoir being distinct from the crank case of the internal combustion engine, said conduit means being in communication with the upper portion of said cylinders whereby vacuum produced by operation of the pistons within the cylinders is felt within said conduit means in a manner to me duce the flow of lubricating fluid therethrough to the cylinders of the internalcombustion engine, and valve means for regulating the vacuum in a portion of said conduit means whereby the flow of lubricating fluid to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine is likewise regulated, a second valve means for controlling the flow of lubricating fluid through said conduit means, said second valve meansbeing located between the first-mentioned valve means and the reservoir, and means for co-operatively connecting the first-mentioned valve means with the throttle valve of a carburetor associated with said internal combustion engine so that said valve means and said throttle valve will function in consonance with each other.

9. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a carburetor associated therewith and provided with a controlling'valve for controlling passage of fuelfrom said carburetor to the cylinders of the-internal combustion engine, a conductor communicating with a portion of said internal combustion engine wherein .vac-. uum is produced by reciprocation of the pistons within the cylinders of the internal combustion engine, a vacuum actuated device associated with said conductor and adapted to be actuated by vacuum therein, a valve for controlling the extent of the vacuum in a portion of said conductor, and means for connecting the vacuum-controlling valve and the valve for controlling passage of fuel to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine whereby said valves are causedto operate to the cylinders of theinternal combustion engine, aconductor communicating with a portion of said internal combustionengine wherein vacuum is produced by reciprocation of the pistons within the cylinders of the internal combustion engine, a vacuum-actuated'device associated'with said conductor and adapted to be actuated by vacuum therein, a valve including a plunger for controlling the extent of the vacuum in a'portion of said conductor, and means for connecting the v vacuum-controlling valve and the valve for conductor and adapted to be actuated by vacuum therein, and a valve for controlling the extent of the vacuum in a portion of said conductor, said valve including a plunger arranged for reciprocatory movement only, a valve seat with which said plunger is adapted to contact, and manually operable means for operating said plunger from a position remote from said valve.

12. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a conductor communicating with a portion of said internal combustion engine wherein vacuum is produced by the reciprocation of the pistons within the cylinders of the engine, a vacuum-actuated device associated with said conductor and adapted to be actuated by vacuum therein, and a valve for controlling the extent of the vacuum in a portion of said conductor, said valve including a plunger arranged for reciprocatory movement only, a valve seat with which said plunger is adapted to contact, and spring-controlled manually operable means for operating said plunger from a position remote from said valve.

13. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a carburetor associated therewith and provided with a controlling valve for controlling passage of fuel from said carburetor to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine, a conductor communicating with a portion of said internal combustion engine wherein vacuum is produced by reciprocation of the pistons within the cylinders of the internal combustion engine, a vacuum-actuated device associated with said conductor and adapted to be actuated by vacuum therein, a valve for controlling the extent of the vacuum in a portion of said conductor, and means for connecting the vacuumcontrolling valve and the valve for controlling passage of fuel to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine whereby said valves are caused to operate in consonance with each other, said vacuum-controlling valve including a plunger,

a valve seat with which said plunger is adapted to contact, and pivoted means for connecting said plunger to the connecting means which causes the vacuum-controlling valve and the fuel-controlling valve to function in consonance with each other.

14. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a carburetor associated therewith and provided with a controlling valve for controlling passage of fuel from said carburetor to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine, a conductor communicating with a portion of said internal combustion engine wherein vacuum is produced by reciprocation of the pistons within the cylinders of the internal combustion, engine, a vacuum-actuated device associated with said conductor and adapted to be actuated by vacuum therein, a valve for controlling the extent of the vacuum in a portion of said conductor, and means for connecting the vacuum-controlling valve and the valve for controlling passage of fuel to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine whereby said valves are caused to operate in consonance with each other, said vacuum-controlling valve including a plunger, a valve seat with which said plunger is adapted to contact, and spring-controlled, pivoted means for connecting said plunger to the connecting means which causes the vacuum-controlling valve and the fuelcontrolling valve to function in consonance with each other.

15. In an internal combustion engine, an intake manifold, a carburetor, a throttle valve for said carburetor, a control for operating said throttle valve, a suction operated device, a suction conduit leading from said intake manifold 

